Miami football game protocols and ticket priority update

Following the announcement that 13,000 fans will be permitted at Miami football games in 2020, the Hurricanes athletic department issued a press release with protocols who will have priority in attending the games.

Attendance at Miami football games in 2020 will be limited to 13,000 fans as announced by the Hurricanes athletic department during a press conference led by Florida governor Ron DeSantis earlier today. The Miami athletic department issued a press release stating game protocols and ticket priority update for attendance.

As expected Miami football season ticket holders will have first priority to buy tickets for Hurricanes games in 2020. Additional details were being sent out via email. Season ticket holders have the option to opt-out and maintain their status and location. The option of how they allocate the money is up to the season ticket holder.

The money already paid for 2020 season tickets can be applied to 2021 or as a donation to the Canes United Covid-19 relief effort. Separate emails will be sent to season ticket holders and University of Miami students regarding attendance. Multiple options were being discussed prior to the announcement on Monday.

Miami athletic director Blake James told the Miami Herald last week that the athletic department would like to prioritize the families of Miami football players, students and potential recruits attending football games. With the Hurricanes first game 17 days away we will learn more about the expected attendees.

"“UM season ticket holders will have first priority to participate in an individual game on-sale. Additional details will be communicated via e-mail. If season ticket holders are not interested or able to attend games in-person, a portion or all of the funds in their account can be rolled over in support of the Canes United Covid-19 Relief Initiative.Their accounts can also be credited for the 2021 football season with the funds paid-to-date. A refund is also available if requested.All seat locations, parking and tenure will be rolled over to the next season automatically. No action is needed for this to occur. UM Athletics has transitioned to a mobile ticketing system so all tickets and parking passes will be delivered electronically and must be scanned in on a mobile device at Hard Rock Stadium.Separate communication will be sent to UM students regarding attendance.”"

“Policies for the 2020 season will include:

• GBAC Star certification
• Socially distanced seating clusters
• All fans and stadium employees will be required to wear a mask when not actively eating or drinking
• Upgrading Air Conditioning filters from Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 10 to MERV 14 (Hospital Grade)
• Mobile touchless entry with more points of entries and exits to help avoid bottlenecks at ingress/egress
• Staggered gate entry with entry times listed on game tickets
• Cashless experience for food service, parking and retail
  New walk through metal detectors with touchless security screening to allow fans to keep all items in their pockets for faster entry
• 1 metal detector for every 104 fans vs 1 metal detector for every 394 fans in 2019
• Changing from manual to contactless toilets and faucets
• No smoking inside the stadium or helixes
• No tailgating for 2020 season with parking lots open two hours before kickoff instead of four hours.”

"Upon entry, fans will go through a touchless security scan. Food, beverage, parking and retail will become a cashless experience supported by in-app mobile and credit card payment options.Express pickup for food and beverage will also be available. Furthermore, all manual faucets, toilet handles, toilets, soap dispensers and paper towel dispensers have been changed to automatic sensors to provide a touchless restroom experience."

Tom Garfinkel the Chief Executive Officer of the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium appeared on the Hochman and Crowder Show on WQAM today to discuss all of the above for how it relates primarily to the Dolphins but the Miami athletic department was consulted as a tenant and will have the first game September 10.

The Hurricanes open the season against UAB. Fans will be able to order food from their seats in addition to the upgrade with the air filtering among the many other precautions being taken to keep the stadium experience safe as listed above. Fans will also be required to wear a mask while attending games unless eating or drinking.